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OPINION

Repeal and replace fell apart, so what’s next?

Dick Goodson, Letter to the editor
Published 5:49 p.m. CT March 31, 2017

Jim Lo Scalzo/Getty Images, pool
Vice President Mike Pence, left, and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, right, applaud as President Donald Trump arrives Tuesday to deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: (AFP OUT) U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (L) and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R) applaud as U.S. President Donald J. Trump (C) arrives to deliver his first address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on February 28, 2017 in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Trump's first address to Congress is expected to focus on national security, tax and regulatory reform, the economy, and healthcare. (Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo - Pool/Getty Images)(Photo: Pool, Getty Images)

As I watched the political process unfold over health care, I became nostalgic for the 1980s when I was in and out of Washington, D.C., weekly. There were a lot of disagreements; however, at the end of the day major legislation was passed. There were obstructionists on both sides of the aisle, though fewer than now.

Although I am no supporter of the president, the one thing I can say is he is no ideologue but is totally driven by his ego. That combination offers an opportunity. He would love to get some “great healthcare passed” and have his name on it.

We also know the Affordable Care Act in many cases is no longer affordable and needs major fixes.

If a dozen congressional Democrats and as many Republicans met quietly, got a general agreement and then took that to the president, something might get done.

If Reps. David Young and Dave Loebsack were willing to take a political risk, it might be the start of something.

The solution? Simply expand Medicare for everyone. We would pick up younger, healthier Americans and lower our health care costs as well as get better coverage. The U.S. should look closely at the Australian model. Australia spends 9.4 percent of GNP on health care. I have friends who have used it, and they think it works quite well. The U.S. spends 17.1 percent of GNP on health care.

Is America likely to get to universal coverage? Don’t know, but a joint bipartisan effort would get us further along than we are now.